College of Nursing Alumni Society Awards
We invite you to nominate a colleague for one of these awards to be presented at The Ohio State University College of Nursing recognition ceremony on April 11, 2025.
Nominations begin on November 1 – December 6.
All College of Nursing alumni are eligible*, including:
- All undergraduate nursing alumni, including RN to BSN, and the traditional BSN
- Bachelor of Science of Health and Wellness alumni
- Master of Science in Nursing alumni
- Masters in Healthcare Innovation alumni
- Master of Clinical Research alumni
- All Doctor of Nursing Practice program alumni
- Doctor of Nursing Education program alumni
- PhD program alumni
*Current members of the Alumni Society Board of Governors are not eligible for these awards. Previous recipients are not eligible for the same award.
Nomination Checklist
We recommend uploading the following documentation all at once. Once a nomination is submitted, it cannot be edited.
- Nominating statement limited to three, single spaced pages.
- Letters of support, limited to three.
- Current curriculum vitae or resume.
Other things nominators will share in the form:
- Nominator name, email, and phone number
- Nominee name, email, employer, and phone number
The Nursing Alumni Society Awards Committee will determine which award is best suited for each nominee based on their credentials and experiences.
Distinguished Alumna/us Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to an Ohio State College of Nursing graduate in any of the degrees conferred by the college. This is in recognition of and appreciation for exceptional achievement in their career. The recipient of this award exemplifies the mission and vision of the College of Nursing while providing inspiration for current students, faculty and alumni. Professional areas for consideration include one or more of the following: practice excellence, education, community service, health equity and diversity/inclusion, innovation, health and wellness initiatives, administration, professional writing, evidence-based practice, research or public service.
- Current Award Recipient
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Susan D. Bell, DNP, CNRN, APRN-CNP, EBP-C Dr. Susan D. Bell is recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award for her highly exceptional and multi-faceted professional career with extensive expertise in neuroscience nursing, advanced practice clinical research and education. Dr. Bell has a deep commitment to evidence-based practice, mentorship and professional service that has been demonstrated throughout her career. Her work reveals an unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes and advancing the nursing profession. Her recent DNP project on developing and implementing mentorship programs highlights her dedication to educating and developing the next generation of nurses. Dr. Bell continues to make valuable contributions to nursing practice, leadership and research.
- Current Aw
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Jane Hunt Hartman, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PCJane Hunt Hartman is awarded the Distinguished Alumna Award. With over 44 years of experience in pediatric healthcare, Jane has dedicated her career to improving the quality, safety and comfort of pediatric patients. She pioneered research in pediatric vascular access, which led to the creation of the Pediatric Peripheral Vascular Access Algorithm – a nurse-directed tool that shifts the process of initiating peripheral vascular access in children from task-based to process-based care. The Association for Vascular Access nationally recognized Jane and awarded her the 2021 Dr. Janet Petit Scholar Award. Several journals have published her research, including the 2021 Infusion Nursing Society’s Standards of Practice. For example, Jane invented the High-Line™, a medical device that enhances patient mobility and reduces complications from IV tubing. During the pandemic, nursing staff relied on the High-Line™ as an essential tool and in the following year, Jane earned the Cleveland Clinic Innovations Medical Device of the Year award. As a retiree, Jane occasionally works in the newborn nursery and pediatric units, facilitates an empowerment program for nurses at the Cleveland Clinic and enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren, Juniper, Arlo, Elianna, Oliver and Llewyn.
- Past Award Recipients
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1984 Patricia Sloan 1985 Mary Silva 1986 Mary Donohue 1987 Ella Kick 1988 Lois Johns 1989
Marie Collart
Constance Collins
Elaine Glass
Ada Lindsey
Mary MacVicar
Kathryn Peppe
Mary Perley
Dorothea Rye
Betty Schmoll
Ethelrine Shaw-Nickerson1990 Ellen Rudy 1991 Deborah Coleman
Carol Jenkins2000 Elizabeth Pitorak 2001 Kitty Kisker 2002 Beverly Hampton 2003 Kristine Campbell 2004 Lillian Bernhagen 2005 Suzanne DeWoody 2008 Jeffrey Jones
Joan Wessman
Clarann Weinert2009 Kathryn Peppe 2010 Mary Ann Wilcox 2011 Phyllis Kaldor 2012 Danette Birkhimer 2013 Kathleen Lux 2014 100 Alumni Transformers 2015 Adele Webb 2016 Pamela Greene 2017 Cynthia Moore-Hardy 2018 Linda Amos 2019 Eric A. Yap 2020 Judy Ressallat 2021 Sandra Cornett
Maureen Musto2022 Sally W. Morgan
Amy K. Spangler2024 Ann Livingston Farah, MEd, MSN, PNP, NNP, Certified TESOL
Distinguished Recent Alumna/us Award
The Distinguished Recent Alumni Award is given to an Ohio State College of Nursing alum who has graduated within the past 10 years. This award is in honor and appreciation of accomplishments that exemplify outstanding early career achievement in at least one of the following areas of practice excellence, innovation, community service, health equity and diversity/inclusion, health and wellness initiatives, education, administration, evidence-based practice, research or commendable public service.
- Current Award Recipient
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Tabitha Dennis, MHI Tabitha “Tab” Dennis is awarded the Distinguished Recent Alumna Award for her early career achievements. While completing her Master of Healthcare Innovation program during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dennis took on the role of associate director of the Moms2B program at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Dennis, who has a bachelor’s degree in public health and more than 15 years of experience in healthcare, led an interdisciplinary team to excel in serving over 2,000 pregnant women in the Moms2B program and obtained over $6 million in grant funding. Her leadership and dedication to improving community health outcomes are commendable.
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- Past Award Recipients
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2003 Jon Mickle 2004 Robin Rosselet 2005 Angie Overholt 2006 Theresa Skybo 2008 Andrew Betz 2009 Jodi McDaniel 2010 Jill Kilanowski 2011 Christopher Tod Brindle 2012 Pattama Ulrich 2013 Carrie Keib 2015 Denise Minor 2016 Sarah Meyer 2017 Stephen Roller 2018 Rebecca Taylor 2019 Tim Raderstorf 2020 Calli Cook 2021 Justin Kelly 2024 Kristen M. Hill
Community Service Award
The Community Service Award is presented to an Ohio State College of Nursing graduate in honor of the significant contributions of time, actions, talents and dedication made to improve the health of the community (local, regional, national or global) including advocacy in health equity and diversity/inclusion in the community. The awardee promotes the health of the community through sustained professional and/or volunteer work. The recipient serves as a model for compassion and service to others.
- Current Award Recipient
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Lisa M. Zerull, PhD, RN-BC Dr. Lisa M. Zerull is honored with the Community Service Award for her significant contributions to community health. A 1984 BSN graduate from Ohio State’s College of Nursing, Dr. Zerull has had a distinguished 40-year nursing career. She pioneered community nurse case management and promoted parish/faith community nursing to become a recognized specialty in nursing complete with scope and standards, leading to national and international recognition. Dr. Zerull transitioned to academia, becoming a tenured assistant professor and crafting impactful community health programs. She also coordinates healthcare exploration programs for youth and serves on various community boards.
- Past Award Recipients
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2003 Margaret Flowers 2004 Jessie Pergrin 2005 Elsie Williams-Wilson 2006 Saundra Theis 2008 Debbie Cannon Freece 2009 Carol Baker 2010 Carol Prince 2011 Kitty Kisker 2015 John Welch 2016 Kristine Weiss Adams 2017 Janet Hussong 2018 Ann Marie Stalter-Justice 2019 Amy M. Provenzano 2020 Karen Lane 2021 Alexandria Jones 2022 Da’na M. Langford 2024 Cheryl K. Schmidt
Mildred E. Newton Distinguished Educator Award
The Mildred E. Newton Distinguished Educator Award honors an Ohio State College of Nursing graduate who has served, or is currently serving, as an educator or dean of a nationally accredited college/school of nursing. The Awardee’s personal integrity, leadership, commitment to nursing education and advancement of nursing science has contributed significantly to the advancement of the nursing profession and the preparation of the next generation of nurses. The following exemplars will be considered: teaching, evidence-based practice, research, publication, leadership in the professional communities at the state, national or global levels, or public service.
- Current Award Recipient
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Jacalyn S. Buck, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL Dr. Jacalyn S. Buck is honored with the Mildred E. Newton Distinguished Educator Award for her significant contributions to nursing education. A three-time graduate of Ohio State, Dr. Buck has held various leadership roles at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, including serving as the chief nursing officer and has been an adjunct faculty member, assistant professor of clinical practice and assistant dean for clinical affairs at the College of Nursing. She is currently a clinical professor and serves as the executive director of academic partnerships at the College of Nursing where she leads strategic collaborations with local hospital partners.
- Past Award Recipients
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2003 Ada Lindsey 2004 Marilyn Sommers 2005 Zaiga Kalnins 2006 Marilyn Rothert 2010 Davina Gosnell 2011 Karen Ahijevych 2012 Edna Menke 2013 Barbara Warren 2015 Jeri Milstead 2016 Susan Frazier 2017 Colleen Keller 2018 Betsy Frank 2019 Charold Lee Baer 2020 Janet S. Fulton 2021 Jeffrey Jones 2022 Ann M. Smith 2024 Deborah L. Ulrich
Champion of Healthcare Award
An award given to a College of Nursing graduate, of any program, who demonstrates exceptional leadership and action in policy, advocacy, legislature and leadership to improve the healthcare systems either on a national, state, or local level. (ex: a graduate of the college that becomes a congressperson who advocates for healthcare policy)
- Current Award Recipient
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Sheila Chucta, DNP, ACNS-BC, CCRN-CSC Dr. Sheila Chucta is awarded the Champion of Healthcare Award for her exceptional leadership in healthcare policy and advocacy. Dr. Chucta led the integration of an electronic health record order for clinical nurse specialist consultations, significantly impacting her peers. She trains critical care professionals and precepts DNP students. Dr. Chucta is known for her quality and evidence-based practice initiatives, including delirium prevention and personalized patient care activities.
Bernadette Melnyk Mindstrong Award(new in 2023!)
An award given to a College of Nursing graduate, of any program, who demonstrates exceptional advocacy, leadership, administration, health equity and diversity/inclusion in the discipline of mental health.
- Current Award Recipient
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Alice Teall, DNP, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP Dr. Alice Teall is awarded the Bernadette Melnyk Mindstrong Award for her outstanding advocacy in mental health and nursing education. Dr. Teall recently retired from the position of director of graduate health and wellness academic programming at Ohio State and senior director of wellness at Kenyon College. She established the first all-online family nurse practitioner program and played. Dr. Teall has co-authored pivotal articles on clinician burnout and wellness and has mentored many doctoral students.
College of Nursing Alumni Award (not currently awarded)
The College of Nursing Alumni Award was presented to a College of Nursing Alumni Society Board member who demonstrated a sustained leadership role that exemplified exceptional leadership, regular participation, and encouragement of new ideas to meet the goals of the organization.
- Past Award Recipients
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2020 Peggy Agle 2021 Kristine Weiss Adams 2022 Teresa A. DiMeo